diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/common-spectral.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/common-spectral.c
index 0c5559009a285d..f6dd0ecfbbf331 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/common-spectral.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/common-spectral.c
@@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ int ath_cmn_process_fft(struct ath_spec_scan_priv *spec_priv, struct ieee80211_h
 			 * loop.
 			 */
 			if (len <= fft_len + 2)
-				break;
+				return 1;
 
 			sample_start = &vdata[i + 1];